The Associated Press reports Houston Texans RB Antowain Smith is happy to playing again in his hometown of Houston. It took him nine years and four NFL teams to get there. "I've come full circle," he said after Houston's minicamp Monday, June 12. "I just made some stops along the way. It's great to be back at home." The Texans are also pleased to have a capable player to back up starting RB Domanick Davis. Smith said it's been easier to adjust to a new team since the entire Texans offense is learning a new system under first-year head coach Gary Kubiak. Kubiak said that the 6-foot-2, 232-pound Smith has looked good in Houston's practices over the last month. He is anxious to see how Smith's body will hold up during training camp. Smith said he doesn't have any personal goals for the season. He's simply concerned with winning.

New Orleans Saints RB Aaron Stecker (Achilles') is listed as questionable but practiced Wednesday, Oct. 19 and Thursday, Oct. 20, so he should play in the team's Week 7 game. He split carries and yards almost right down the middle with RB Antowain Smith last week, but Smith scored both rushing touchdowns.

New Orleans Saints RB Antowain Smith and RB Aaron Stecker were both effective replacing injured RB Deuce McAllister (knee). Smith ran for two touchdowns, but also fumbled, resulting in Stecker getting more carries. The two will continue to share the load, but expect Smith to be used more for goal-line carries.

New Orleans Saints RB Aaron Stecker will be relied on to take up some of the load for injured RB Deuce McAllister (knee), along with RB Antowain Smith. Stecker has some speed and elusiveness. He can be a change of pace and third down runner or carry the load himself. Stecker replaced McAllister last year for three games and ran for 106 against St. Louis. Smith is expected to get the most carries along with the short-yardage carries, but both of them will cut into each other's numbers. The Saints will continue to focus on the run behind a veteran and physical offensive line, despite the injury to McAllister.

The Associated Press reports New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett is pleased with the performance of RB Antowain Smith. He gives the Saints even more depth at running back. "I love Antowain," Haslett said after practice on Monday, August 1. "He doesn't have great speed, but I'll tell you what he does. He's a big man first of all; he is going to run down hill. He is going to get positive yardage, and he knows his role. I think the guy can go in and play and rush for 1,000 yards. He's done it before." With starting RB Deuce McAllister and backup RB Aaron Stecker ahead of him, Smith may not see a lot of action, but if he is needed he will be ready to play.

Jim Wyatt, of the Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans RB Chris Brown (toe) practiced Friday, Nov. 26, but was limited. He went through the team's walk through and is currently expected to play during Week 12. Brown, however, may share carries with RB Antowain Smith during Week 12 and is likely to see the majority of the action provided his health holds up.

Tennessee Titans RB Antowain Smith has had no problem thus far deferring much of the rushing load to second-year RB Chris Brown, reports Gary Glenn of TitansOnline.com. "That Chris is the young guy. He's got those fresh legs," Smith said. "Chris needs to go out there and handle his business, do his job. When he gets tired or needs a little break, then call me in there. If they want me to take on a little bigger workload, I'm capable of doing that, but right now let Chris take that load. Over the years I've had my share of it. I'm cool with it. Let that young man over there go out and do his job."

Gary Glenn, of TitansOnline.com, reports Tennessee Titans RB Antowain Smith had no idea he had taken over RB Eddie George's old locker until a reporter asked him about following practice Monday, Aug. 16. "I had no idea this was Eddie's old locker," Smith said. "The way things are today people are always changing teams. I'm just happy to be here. Tennessee has been a great organization and a winning team that always goes to the playoffs, so I don't see why that should change now."

Jim Wyatt, of the Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese is unfazed with the running back situation now that the team has parted ways with long-time RB Eddie George. ''I am not sure that we'll lose a great deal there,'' Reese said. ''We just are going to have to do it with 1½ or two guys instead of one.'' The top two candidates are RBs Chris Brown and Antowain Smith.

Jim Wyatt, of the Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans RB Antowain Smith will compete for playing time with RB Chris Brown, who enters training camp with the upper hand on the battle. Titans general manager Floyd Reese said Smith has filled the starter role before and he'll be capable of filling whatever role the Titans want him to fill. He noted that Smith has the ability to come in and win the starting job, too.

Updating ongoing reports, TitansOnline.com reports the Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with free agent RB Antowain Smith (Patriots) and the seven-year veteran said he will be a consummate pro. "I am not here to fill Eddie George's shoes, those are very large shoes to fill," Smith said. "I am here to do whatever is asked of me, help the team win and not step on any toes."

Updating an earlier report, Jim Wyatt, of the Tennessean, reports free agent RB Antowain Smith (Patriots) has agreed to a one-year deal worth $660,000 with the Tennessee Titans. Smith will receive a signing bonus of around $25,000, but could earn additional money through incentives.

Mike Reiss, of the Metrowest Daily News, reports Kennard McGuire, who represents free agent RB Antowain Smith (Patriots), is willing to wait for the right opportunity to come along before finding a new home for his client. McGuire believes more openings will be available in training camp with injuries and roster cuts.

Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Bruce Allen said the team may continue to add players, including free agent RB Antowain Smith (Patriots). "I think there's about a half dozen guys we're looking at right now and (Smith) would be one of them," said Allen.